Wiping device and method for wiping an optical element, and rear view device or driver assistance device for use in a vehicle

Abstract

A wiping device for wiping an optical element clean of water or of particles includes a housing and a wiping element able to undergo a movement with respect to the housing, where the wiping device is configured to move in such a manner that such movement is caused by coupling a first unit in or on the wiping element with a second unit in the housing via a time-variable electromagnetic field. The wiping device may be used for wiping the surface of a lens or of a window, which lens or window is transmissive to visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and/or infrared radiation, and is preferably placed in front or as part of a camera. In addition, a rear view device or driver assistant device for use in or on a vehicle including such a wiping device, and a method for wiping an optical element are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wiping device for wiping an optical element which is transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation, and placed in front of or as part of a camera, the wiping device comprising:
 a housing comprising a wall; 
 a wiping element configured to move with respect to the housing; 
 a first unit in or on the wiping element; and 
 a second unit in the housing; and 
 a travel groove formed in or by the wall of the housing, 
 wherein the movement of the wiping element is caused by a coupling of the first unit with the second unit via a time-variable electromagnetic field, and 
 at least a portion of the wiping element is fit into the travel groove of the housing for travelling therein. 
 
     
     
       2. The wiping device of  claim 1 , wherein the first unit is a rotor and the second unit is a stator of an electromotor. 
     
     
       3. The wiping device of  claims 1 , wherein the movement of the wiping device is a linear movement. 
     
     
       4. The wiping device of  claim 3 , further comprising two electric motors each having a rotor, the two rotors being arranged at an opposite side or opposite end of the wiping element. 
     
     
       5. The wiping device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the housing is undercut to form at least a portion of the travel groove, and the portion of the wiping element is of such shape that it cannot exit the travel groove where the housing is undercut, and 
 the housing has a T-shaped protrusion over which a C-shaped portion of the wiping element is slideably fit. 
 
     
     
       6. A rear view device or a driver assistance device for use in or on a vehicle, comprising:
 a wiping device according to  claim 1 ; 
 a camera housed and sealed in the housing of the wiping device behind a lens or a window, the lens or the window being transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation, the surface of which is wipable by the wiping element of the wiping device; and 
 at least one of a display device connected to the camera for displaying images taken with the camera and an evaluation device connected to the camera for evaluating data of the camera. 
 
     
     
       7. A method for wiping an optical element, which is transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation, the method comprising:
 providing the wiping device of  claim 1 ; 
 moving the wiping element of the wiping device with respect to the housing of the wiping device by means of electromagnetic fields created by elements within the housing and taking effect, at least in part, outside of the housing.